Remington 38 Special +P 158 Grain LSWCHP Test

This is a discussion on Remington 38 Special +P 158 Grain LSWCHP Test within the Defensive Ammunition & Ballistics forums, part of the Defensive Carry Discussions category; I've carried this load for many years, but never really knew how good it was until I had the chance to test it myself last ...

Awesome ! I've been looking for this "FBI" load on youtube for some time now. Some reviews I read mentioned QC issues with the Remington recently such ass sealant issues and crimp problems. Have trouble finding it in my area. Found a bunch of 38Spl +p 125gr SJHP so I hope my lemon squeezer likes it.

Awesome ! I've been looking for this "FBI" load on youtube for some time now. Some reviews I read mentioned QC issues with the Remington recently such ass sealant issues and crimp problems. Have trouble finding it in my area. Found a bunch of 38Spl +p 125gr SJHP so I hope my lemon squeezer likes it.

Previously, I would link to sites that had ammo but adsense didn't like that. My last few boxes came from Midway USA. Nothing in the Express line is cheap so it's best to wait for Midway to put up a 10% off deal so they cover most of the shipping cost.

Much-appreciated video on an excellent defense load. The Remington version of the FBI Load has a great rep for expansion and penetration, as they got it right the first time on alloy hardness and geometry of the HP cavity. From what I've read, Winchester's version is a bit harder and has trouble expanding from a snub, although I can't vouch personally for that. Seems to have had an excellent rep in LE circles, though.

From what I've read about the Federal version, it supposedly went thru a couple of permutations on the cavity geometry.

I am overjoyed that you ran this test. I was unimpressed with the other video tests I found, like shooting into water barrels. I liked the load, now I can point to the test and say 'see?' to disbelievers. I like gel tests balanced with other info, which there is a lot of. My only problem now is finding it locally so I can grab a box here and there.

Late to this party since I've been out of town. It's good to see this thread. The +P 158 grain lead SWC load is what makes the .38 Special an attractive self-defense choice rather than the various jacketed light bullet +P loadings. I'm another happy user and have been for years. Dedicated self-defense .38 Special revolvers of all barrel lengths are currently being loaded with the Remington version of the old "FBI Load." The old maximum charge of Unique as listed in any of several older editions of Lyman manuals also duplicates this performance.

Here are results of chronograph testing of the Remington +P 158 grain lead SWC load from a 2-inch Smith & Wesson Model 10.

I'm following this thread with much enthusiasm. bmcgilvray, I had not previously read the .38 spl threads that you posted links to. I shall now relieve my but of it's chair whenever you enter the .38 Special room.

Those Buffalo Bore .38 plus peas look more like what I'd expect of a .357 load out of a snubby.